One Lens to rule them all? Which 50mm?

[Verteidiger]

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........or alternatively, as it is a "first lens", look long and hard at the 35mm Summilux -M ASPH FLE. And then do yourself a big favour and get one.

 

I can give you a new user perspective. Consider the 35 (lux 1.4). For shooting subjects, it allows you capture them and the surrounding scene. Its also wide enough for just landscapes.

 

+1

 

I bought the 35-mm-Summicron (f 2) as my first and then only lens for its really all-purpose angle of view. Regarding to the large sensor size pictures can easily be cropped to the angle of a 50-mm-lens in cases you actually do not want to have the surrounding scene on them. The only thing I regret is that I didn't get the Summilux instead for the (few) occasions I want a shallow depth of field.

[Jeff S]

Portable? The Summilux weighs 320 grams, the Zeiss 380. I don't think an added weight of 60 grams is THAT enormous....

 

This versus that.

 

Bigger in every dimension, but depends on one's standards. Diameter 63mm vs 56mm (filter 49 vs 46), and length 65mm vs 46 mm (without hoods).

 

Jeff

[stephen.w]

For me, the 35 FLE is as big I am prepared to go with an everyday 35mm lens. The Zeiss lens has the dimensions of a big, specialist tele or wide-angle lens. If I had it, I would also want a smaller 35.

 

But wasn't the OP looking for a 50? My vote is also for the Elmar-M, which gets far more use than my Summilux asph. I agree with what Otto says above about the two lenses.

[james.liam]

This versus that.

 

Bigger in every dimension, but depends on one's standards. Diameter 63mm vs 56mm (filter 49 vs 46), and length 65mm vs 46 mm (without hoods).

 

Jeff

 

Funny listening to you long-time Leicaistas quibbling over an extra 100 gms or 5mm length/diameter. I sold off an entire Nikon kit of two bodies, two big zooms and a trio of heavy primes over the summer and the 'liberation' from all that burden switching over to an MM makes this thread very entertaining.

[Jeff S]

Funny listening to you long-time Leicaistas quibbling over an extra 100 gms. I sold off an entire Nikon kit of two bodies, two big zooms and a trio of heavy primes over the summer and the 'liberation' from all that burden switching over to an MM makes this thread very entertaining.

 

I'll leave the quibbling to others. I only cited some stats for others (time to kill) for some lenses I don't use, as mine are pretty much the same ones I've been using for decades. And I've owned every format from 35mm to 8x10…extensively. Tell it to somebody who cares.

 

Jeff

[tom0511]

Size wise the Summarits are hard to beat.

For me the Summicrons 35 and 50 and also the 50 APO are the best compromise between speed and size.

I sold the 50/.95 because I found it too big and I used too seldom the shallow DOF (which can be a beautiful effect).

[james.liam]

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I'll leave the quibbling to others. I only cited some stats for others (time to kill) for some lenses I don't use, as mine are pretty much the same ones I've been using for decades. And I've owned every format from 35mm to 8x10…extensively. Tell it to somebody who cares.

 

Jeff

 

Wasn't directed to you despite the quote, just a general observation about the thread so don't take my comment the wrong way (personally).

[IkarusJohn]

It's lovely to see another woman join the forum - it makes a huge difference to the quality of discussion here. If you re-read this thread, you will see a typical proliferation of suggestions which bear no relationship to your original question - I'm just surprised no one has (yet) suggested that you buy an M3 in good condition, with a nice clean DR Summicron 50

 

You want a nice simple, state of the art digital rangefinder and 50mm lens (if I understand you correctly) - my background is much like yours, and my first digital camera was an M9. I have never looked back. If I were in your shoes, I'd buy the M(240), M-P version. It's the current model, and most people who bought them prefer them over the M9. That would be good enough for me. It has an updated rangefinder, and can be operated simply. Buy one, and enjoy it - don't look over your shoulder wondering if something else would be better. Until the next Leica M camera release, it's the best on offer.

 

I understand the preference for a 50mm - I am the same. I have three 50s, a Noctilux 0.95, Summilux ASPH and a 1948 Summitar 50/2. A lot of folk here like to experiment with older lenses as they're generally very good quality and their resale value is pretty good. So, we look for different character in older lenses on new cameras. This is a popular sport. However, "character" could also be called interesting flaws. I'd suggest you buy a digital era lens for your digital camera, especially if you plan on a one lens kit for the foreseeable future. That really means one of the Noctilux 50/0.95 ASPH (a beast of a lens), the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH, the APO-Summicron 50/2 ASPH or the Summarit 20/2.4. If weight is an issue, then the Summarit is the obvious choice, but the Summilux & Summicron are a step up, in my view. There is nothing in the weight difference between the black Summilux and the APO-Summicron.

 

If it were me, I'd go for a black M-P and matching black Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH. For macro, add the new macro adapter, and you can use live view for focus and framing without the need for the goggles.

 

Once you've made your choice, forget about alternatives, and get out and take pictures - and please post them here.

 

Cheers

John

[Lals]

I made it to Keeble & Shuchat store and tried on a few lenses on the M240P body. They had the 50 APO summicron, the regular summicron and the summilux. They did not have the others or did not know if they had it as the main Leica guy was not in the store. Feel wise I liked the summicrons but the summilux was not bad. The camera body seems to tilt forward a tad and that was worrisome. I also thought about my use cases and what is most important. I think being able to photograph people, kids in particular is most important. Also while I will be taking pics a lot in natural light, I will also be shooting some indoors (light from window or skylight etc.) So between the summicron and the summilux and all the other 50mms, am I going to get more gorgeous photos of people with one or the other - I am looking for that skin texture, the hair, the subtle shine, the eyes etc.?

 

What difference will the one f/stop make between the summilux and summicron. Should I care? Between the 35mm and the 50, I really want the 50. It just feels better and the photos look better to me. So maybe 35 for the future. I feel that the camera body will definitely lose it's monetary value as all things electronic do. But the lens may not.

 

Incidentally, I came across this One camera.. One lens.. One year journey that lot of people seem to be I to.. What a coincidence? And last Tuesday, he posted what else - a Digital Variant

[erudolph]

Lals, you might go to Flickr and search for groups that use the lenses you're considering.

[wattsy]

Have you considered an M3 in good condition, with a nice clean DR Summicron 50?

[01af]

... or alternatively, as it is a "first lens", look long and hard at the Summilux -M 35 mm Asph. And then do yourself a big favour and get one.

Have you considered an M3 in good condition, with a nice clean DR Summicron 50?

You don't consider a 35 mm lens when you want a 50 mm. And you don't consider an M3 when you want a digital camera.

 

 

So between the Summicron and the Summilux and all the other 50 mm lenses, am I going to get more gorgeous photos of people with one or the other—I am looking for that skin texture, the hair, the subtle shine, the eyes etc.?

Sounds like you're going to have good use for the Apo-Summicron. All current Leica M lenses are very very good—only the Apo-Summicron-M 50 mm Asph sticks out as even better than the rest. Well, umm ... and the regular Summicron also sticks out but in a negative way due to its inclination to flare.

 

 

What difference will the one f-stop make between the Summilux and Summicron? Should I care?

One f-stop is a significant yet smallish difference. At times, another f-stop will be useful. In most cases, not.

 

Until the advent of the Apo-Summicron, the Summilux-M 50 mm Asph was considered the world's best 50 mm standard lens for 35-mm-format cameras. So it is a damn fine lens. To choose between these two is going to be a tough decision ...

[Peter Branch]

You don't consider a 35 mm lens when you want a 50 mm. And you don't consider an M3 when you want a digital camera...........

 

It seems you are correct. The OP's mind is made up she wants a 50mm - fine.

 

As a first lens, and "One lens to rule them all", and given the type of subjects specified I remain to be convinced that this is the optimum choice - but I'm not going to flog a dead horse.

 

Of the 50mm lenses 01af is right - don't buy the 50mm f/2 Summicron-M. Both the 50mm 'lux and the 50mm Apo are much better. I've settled on the 50mm 'lux as the best all round compromise.

[pop]

... was a avid manual film SLR photographer until a few years ago.

 

I think the TO is perfectly capable of making up her mind with regards to the desired focal length.

 

[pgk]

What difference will the one f/stop make between the summilux and summicron. Should I care?

It depends. I shoot my lenses wide open for a reasonable proportion of the time. When you need it, speed matters, although there are some for whom boosting ISO seems to be just as good. For me a stop in aperture is a big deal though obviously for others it isn't. As I said before I think that the 50mm Summilux Aspheric is probably the best compromise available in a 50mm lens (from any manufacturer. Superb performance and a fast aperture in what is still a very small lens.

 

Should you care? Well, it depends on you and how you will use your lens. If I was to start again, the Summilux would be the 50mm lens that I would buy - simple as that.

[MarkP]

 

Should you care? Well, it depends on you and how you will use your lens. If I was to start again, the Summilux would be the 50mm lens that I would buy - simple as that.

 

+1

[thighslapper]

Lals, if you go for an Elmar 50, it should be mentioned that Leica gives a warning in their manual not to put that lens on their M bodies in collapsed status but in extracted mode only.

 

H.

 

...... there is about 1mm upper/lower clearance at the narrowest point where the barrel bit pokes into the camera ..... but it goes nowhere near the sensor.

 

Unless you have a 'wobbly' one it retracts without touching .... but you have to attach it only when extended.

 

....... and that is why I ended up with 3 ...... one mint, but wobbly, one a bit worn but non-wobbly ...... and finally a minty non-wobbler.

 

I should really sell or get the others adjusted, but as they were so cheap and attractive I have kept them.

 

Turned out very handy for doing M9/M/MM comparisons ........ could take photos seconds apart with identical lenses and settings .....

[sblutter]

Latest version collapsible Elmar 50 - no worries about retracting it - have used on my 9 for years now.

 

Very light weight, sharp, fast enough for 90% of situations at 2.8, and certainly all you mentioned.

 

AND, when collapsed will fit nicely hidden away in an average sized ladies handbag for security.

[jmr237]

If I was to start again, the Summilux would be the 50mm lens that I would buy - simple as that.

 

+1

 

The summilux is fantastic. Very glad I chose it over the Summicron. It's not much bigger, the extra stop is great, and the rendering is wonderful for people and single-subject images.

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[mp58]

Lals, welcome to the forum! I too am female, and though I rarely post, I do read the forum often. A tiny bit of background...I have been a Leica user almost twenty years now, and though I shoot digital pretty much exclusively now, I still use my film Leicas from time to time. I too prefer the 50 focal length, and over the years I have owned several versions. I still own several 50s, including a 60s 501.4, the 2003 Jahre 50/2 Summicron (50s specs of the current, pre-APO Summicron, but in the older Rigid style), a 60s 50/2 Rigid, the pre-asph 50/1.4 black and the current 50/1.4 asph in silver over brass. I love each of these 50s, and I still use them all, but my go-to lens is the 50/1.4 asph. And yes, mine is the heavy silver version.

 

I had, for many years, the Noctilux (1.0), and while I loved the dreamy rendering, the lens was not practical (for me) as a "one 50 only" lens. Since I shoot with the M8 and M9p today, I still need the extra stop of the summilux often. With my Monochrom, that extra stop isnt as critical, so i usually shoot my 60s 50/2 Rigid on that body. Since you will have the 240, you would only need the summilux if you prefer the way the lens draws. I LOVE the way the summilux draws.

 

I carry a Leica with me almost all the time, and again, if i had to pare down to ONE 50 only, it would be the 50/1.4 Summilux asph. For me it offers the best compromise of all the things I love in a Leica 50. In that I have not used the Summarits, the Elmar-M OR the APO 50, I cannot speak to how they would be. I have often been tempted to buy a 50/2.8 Elmar M, but I am so happy with my Summilux, I just never get around to it. I am not drawn to the clean rendering of the new APO Summicron, though I can certainly see how others might like it best. i like the character of both the pre-Asph Summilux and that of the newer Aspheric version. No, the asph is not the lightest of the 50s, but it suits me fine, even as a walkabout lens. If I were buying a 240 today ( i am still in love with the older ccd bodies), I would buy the chrome M-P 240 and the Summilux asph. Chrome or black for the lens would suit me fine.

 

Bottom line, it is a wonderful time to be buying a new Leica, and it is almost impossible to go wrong with any of the 50s. Good luck with your choice!

 

kim